08/28/2008 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - If the Los Angeles Dodgers wind up eventually falling short in their quest to win the National League West, the team will likely point to its current road trip -- and in particular, this series with the Washington Nationals -- as a reason for its failure.
The Dodgers will attempt to avoid a three-game sweep at the hands of Washington, owners of the worst record in baseball, when these two clubs meet again tonight at Nationals Park.
Wednesday's 5-4 defeat to the Nationals was the sixth straight loss for Los Angeles to open its 10-game road trip, and the Dodgers have now dropped eight their last eight away games. Joe Torre's stumbling squad began the trek with four consecutive defeats in Philadelphia.
Despite their recent futility, the Dodgers remain just three games behind Arizona, which has lost four in a row, for first place in the NL West. Los Angeles will visit the Diamondbacks for three crucial contests beginning on Friday.
The Dodgers hit three home runs off Nationals starter Tim Redding last night, but all were solo shots. Los Angeles also had errors from pitcher Greg Maddux and second baseman Jeff Kent that led to a pair of Washington runs.
Redding (9-8) threw six effective innings to get the win, allowing just the three runs on eight hits. Joel Hanrahan come on with two outs in the top of the eighth and got out of a bases-loaded jam, then tossed a scoreless ninth to record his sixth save.
Ryan Zimmerman hit his first home run since May 17 and scored twice for Washington, which has won back-to-back games for the first time since taking both games of a doubleheader against Colorado on August 7. Emilio Bonifacio finished 2-for-4 with a run scored in the win.
Casey Blake, James Loney and Andre Ethier had the solo homers for Los Angeles, with both Ethier and Loney ending 3-for-5 on the night. Blake collected a pair of hits and knocked in two runs.
Maddux (6-11) gave up four runs -- two earned -- on eight hits over 5 1/3 innings.
The Dodgers now pin their hopes on the talented left arm of 20-year-old Clayton Kershaw in the team's attempt to end its skid. The rookie has been outstanding for much of this second half, although he's coming off a shaky performance in his last start.
Against the Phillies on Saturday, Kershaw was tagged for six runs on seven hits over four innings to take the loss in LA's 9-2 setback. In a five-start stretch prior to that outing, the young phenom had gone 2-0 with an excellent 1.45 earned run average.
That outstanding run began with a July 27 matchup with the Nationals at Dodger Stadium in which Kershaw fired six shutout innings to lead Los Angeles to a 2-0 triumph.
Washington will be sending out a rookie of its own tonight in John Lannan, who will be hoping to break out of his recent struggles at home. The left-hander has surrendered 16 runs (14 earned) and 16 hits in just 9 2/3 innings of work over his last two starts at Nationals Ballpark, losing on both occasions.
For the season, Lannan is just 2-7 with a 6.27 ERA in his 10 home starts, compared to a 2.71 ERA on the road.
The 23-year-old is coming off a win at Chicago's Wrigley Field on Friday, although he permitted five runs and a pair of homers in 6 1/3 innings.
Lannan faced the Dodgers for the first time on July 25 and received a hard- luck loss. He pitched seven innings in that game and was reached for three runs on six hits.
Los Angeles swept a three-game series versus Washington at Dodger Stadium from July 25-27 and is 11-3 over its past 14 meetings with the Nationals.
<< Around FCS: CAA Heavyweights Take Aim For Title
Philadelphia (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Every week in the Colonial Athletic
Association is something akin to a series of heavyweight elimination bouts.
The contestants get battered and bruised and a team or two is eventually is
left standing with
<< Red Sox hoping to pay last respects to Yankee Stadium with sweep
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Jon Lester attempts to bounce back from one of his worst
starts of the season this afternoon, when the Boston Red Sox try to complete a
three-game sweep of the New York Yankees in what will likely be the final game
played
<< Angels activate Willits from disabled list
Anaheim, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim activated
outfielder Reggie Willits from the 15-day disabled list prior to Wednesday's
6-5 loss to the Oakland Athletics.
Willits pinch-hit for Mike Napoli in the ninth t
<< Brown, Davis help A's hold off Angels
Anaheim, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Emil Brown hit a two-run homer and finished
with three runs driven in, while Rajai Davis scored twice and notched his
first career four-hit game, as the Oakland Athletics edged the Los Angeles
Angels
Rays aim for monumental win in finale with Blue Jays >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Red-hot right-hander Edwin Jackson goes for a sixth win in
seven starts when the first-place Tampa Bay Rays close out a three-game
midweek series with the visiting Toronto Blue Jays tonight at Tropicana Field.
The
Angels continue homestand with visit from Rangers >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Los Angeles Angels continue to tune up for the
postseason as they open a four-game series with the Texas Rangers tonight at
Angel Stadium.
Los Angeles enters tonight's tilt having dropped nine of its last 14
Twins visit A's in next stop on grueling trip >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Minnesota Twins continue their push towards the
postseason this evening, when they continue their 14-game road trip with the
first of four clashes against the Oakland Athletics at McAfee Coliseum.
Minnesota,
Around FCS: Rest Of Conference Chases McNeese State >>
Philadelphia (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - McNeese State regained its swagger in 2007,
going undefeated in the regular season on the way to another Southland
Conference title.
It was the second straight championship for the Cowboys after they had slipp
In part two of MySportsbook.com’s draft preview, we’ll take a look at a division that was extremely disappointing last season: the NFC South. Many “experts” predicted the Panthers to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl, of course they could not even make the playoffs in an extremely weak NFC. The Saints definitely made up for the disappointing seasons of their NFC South brethren by exploding out of no where en route to the NFC Championship game. For the avid NFL gambler, it is imperative to pay attention to the NFL draft. Although free agency gets a ton of publicity, the successful franchises build their teams around the draft.
1. New Orleans Saints
Who would have thought this time last year that the Saints would be the favorites to win the NFC South for the 2007 campaign? New Orleans is loaded with firepower on the offensive side of the ball but with the exodus of Joe Horn they will most likely look to draft a WR on Day 1. Despite having the NFL’s 3rd ranked pass defense last season, the Saints will most likely upgrade their CB’s with one of their first two picks. Other possibilities for the Saints will be TE and DT. Because of where they will be selecting (27th), the Saints could go the “best available player” route which could net a LB.
Key additions: Eric Johnson TE, Troy Evans LB, David Patten WR
Key loses: Joe Horn WR,
Team needs: CB, WR, TE, LB, DT
Possible draftees: Aaron Ross CB Texas, Darrelle Revis CB Pitt, Ted Ginn Jr. WR OSU, Paul Posluszny LB PSU, Chris Houston CB Arkansas, Greg Olsen TE Miami
2. Carolina Panthers
Carolina was one of the biggest disappointments in the NFL last season. With the signing of David Carr, expect the very first quarterback controversy to come out of Carolina if Jake Delhomme doesn’t rebound quickly from an average 2007 season. With veteran safety Mike Minter getting up there in age, they will look to draft a safety on Day 1 but probably not in the first round. LB is another need with the loss of Chris Draft to go along with Dan Morgan’s concussion problems. If TE Greg Olsen is still on the board, he might be too good to pass up despite their needs on the defensive side of the ball.
Key additions: David Carr QB
Key loses: Chris Draft LB
Team needs: LB, TE, S, OT
Possible draftees: Greg Olsen TE Miami, Patrick Willis LB Ole Miss, Paul Posluszny LB PSU, Levi Brown OT PSU
3. Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons were another NFC South team to have a disappointing 2007 season. The Falcons have been plenty busy during the off season with plenty of players coming and going including a new head coach. The Falcons were able to improve their draft position with the trade of coveted backup QB Matt Schaub. High on the list of Day 1 needs will be a defensive end to replace Patrick Kerney and a hard hitting safety since Lawyer Milloy is nearing the end of his career. With an additional 2nd round pick, the Falcons could attempt to trade up to acquire local product WR Calvin Johnson.
Key additions: Joey Harrington QB, Toniu Fonoti OG, Joe Horn WR
Key loses: Justin Griffen RB, Patrick Kerney DE, Matt Lehr OG, Ashley Lelie WR, Matt Schaub QB
Team needs: DE, S, OT, WR, DT
Possible draftees: LaRon Landry S LSU, Amobi Okoye DT Louisville, Levi Brown OT PSU, Jamaal Anderson DE Arkansas, Alan Branch DT Michigan
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Age really caught up to the Bucs last season. The Bucs still have plenty of household names on defense in Ronde Barber, Simeon Rice and Derrick Brooks but the one thing those three have in common is unfortunately age. It is imperative for the Bucs to get much younger, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Despite having bigger needs on the defensive side of the ball, WR Calvin Johnson is the most likely pick if he is still available when the Bucs pick at the four spot. This would suit Bucs’ faithful just fine as Johnson is widely considered the top talent in the draft and it is a position of need for the Bucs.
Key additions: Jeff Garcia QB, Kevin Carter DE, Torrie Cox CB, Cato June LB
Key loses: Dewayne White DE, Sean Mahan OG
Team needs: WR, LB, DE, CB (Youth on defense!)
Possible draftees: Calvin Johnson WR Georgia Tech, Gains Adams DE Clemson, Jamaal Anderson DE Arkansas
It is never too early to start betting on the NFL. Log on to MySportsbook.com to checkout all of the NFL futures for the upcoming season. On the clock: the NFC North
Odds to win the NFC South:
New Orleans Saints 8-5
Carolina Panthers 2-1
Atlanta Falcons 12-5
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 9-2
Odds to win the NFC:
New Orleans Saints 13-2
Carolina Panthers 7-1
Atlanta Falcons 20-1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 25-1
Odds to win the Super Bowl:
New Orleans Saints 18-1
Carolina Panthers 20-1
Atlanta Falcons 50-1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 75-1
To visit this sportsbook get to MySportsbook.com for all your online sportsbook needs. Mysportsbook.com online sportsbook accepts Visa and Mastercard credit cards.
Is there such a thing as a trap game in the NFL?
I once asked that question to Pete Korner, who at the time was office manager and a senior linesmaker for Las Vegas Sports Consultants.
Korner almost ripped my head off. There is no such thing as a trap game, he loudly berated me. It’s a myth. The numbers are made using power ratings, he said.
There are trap games, though. They just might not be what you think. The perception is of a good team, say Philadelphia, laying a small number against New Orleans.
Using the highly-respected power ranking from The Gold Sheet, you’d find the Eagles with a power rating of 4 and the Saints at 8. When you factor the game being played in New Orleans, you could see why the line opened so short at less than a field goal.
For some, this makes it enticing to take the Eagles. That’s not a real trap game, though.
A real trap game, says professional gambler Dave Malinsky, is thinking you’re getting value betting a bad team, which brings us to the Oakland Raiders-Denver Broncos matchup.
The Raiders are +15 in this long-standing division rivalry. Denver is on a short week having dispatched Baltimore Monday. However, the Raiders haven’t covered the spread their last 10 games.
Many bettors don’t trust the Raiders to give a full effort. Few think much of Art Shell and his Oakland’s coaching staff.
So oddsmakers have to do something to make Oakland attractive if they hope to get equal action.
Now Malinsky is a value shopper. But he won’t touch the Raiders even getting more than two touchdowns.
“I try to eliminate the undisciplined, unfocused teams because they’re the ones most likely to suffer the bad beats,” he said.
Near the top of Malinsky’s list of stay-away teams is the Miami Dolphins, who have yet to cover a spread this season.
“Whatever you think of Nick Saban, you have to look at the penalties and turnovers,” Malinsky said.
It’s easy to point out the Dolphins failed to get the money this past week against New England because Olindo Mare missed a field goal and had another field goal blocked. But even though the Dolphins outgained the Patriots, 283-213, they committed eight penalties.
Bad teams not only cost themselves victories, but pointspread covers as well. The Arizona Cardinals and Green Bay Packers are two more examples.
The Cardinals couldn’t have been in a better position this past Sunday, up 14-0 at home against a mediocre Kansas City Chiefs squad. But they couldn’t hold it. The Packers got a push against St. Louis, but also could have won losing by three when Brett Favre fumbled at the St. Louis 11-yard line with 44 seconds left.
“The Packers were in a position to beat Philadelphia, too,” Malinsky said. “But they couldn’t even cover double digits.
“These teams just make mistakes and it costs you … they always will look good from a value standpoint. They really will. But that’s the trap.”
Houston and Tennessee rank among the six-worst teams. Malinsky wouldn’t be afraid to take either of these teams, however, if the price were high enough.
The Texans are bad, Malinsky said, but they have some discipline. The Titans showed they could not only come up with an outstanding game plan, but execute it as well, losing by one to the Colts on the road as an 18 ?-point underdog this past Sunday.
“Jeff Fisher is a worker,” Malinsky said of the Titans coach. “I’m not sure how hard Art Shell wants to work when he gets out of bed.”
Fisher, though, could be out as Tennessee coach after this season. Is he still worth backing in the right spot, with the right price, as a lame duck coach?
“It’s in his nature to keep working hard and not worry about any possible lame duck status,” Malinsky said. “He’s coaching for his resume.”
Note: Monday night game will be picked Monday. Lines used are from football betting lines.
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